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02/21/2024

SPHA IN THE NEWS: Redevelopment Plan for Former Edward White Hospital Gains Funding from Pinellas County

 

By Nick Fokianos, SPHA Director of Communications

ST. PETERSBURG, FL - The St. Petersburg Housing Authority (SPHA) is excited to announce that our project proposal for the redevelopment of the former Edward White Hospital has received funding from the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners. The board's decision, made on January 30, 2024, marks yet another significant step forward in our plan to redevelop the former hospital into affordable housing for local seniors, in addition to serving as SPHA's new headquarters.

The project will receive funding through the ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) Nonprofit Capital Project Fund, with the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners allocating $500,000.00 to the RISE Development Corporation. RISE Development Corporation, the nonprofit arm of SPHA, focuses on creating more affordable rental housing options in the Greater St. Petersburg region through the construction or renovation of multi-family properties.

Pinellas Community Foundation, in collaboration with Pinellas County government, is leading the county's nonprofit granting efforts to support capital needs in response to and in recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. This granting effort utilizes funds provided by the American Rescue Plan Act.

The redevelopment plan for the Edward White building is estimated to be a $38 million project in total. Once redeveloped, the six-story, 121,000-square-foot building in the North Kenwood neighborhood will feature 71 apartments for low-income seniors. In addition, the property will house SPHA's new headquarters, plus 1,939 square feet of leasable office space.

"It's going to be beautiful...it's going to be probably one of the most beautiful buildings in this part of the city," said SPHA President/CEO Michael Lundy. "It's going to be multipurpose. We will have health services, we will have our own staff, we will provide our own on-site property management services."

Lundy went on to say, "The seniors are underserved. We have enough people on our waiting list right now to fill this building maybe three times."

The planned redevelopment of the former Edward White Hospital is another way that SPHA is working to create opportunities for stronger communities. The project is expected to break ground on construction in mid-2024.

SPHA President/CEO Michael Lundy speaking to ABC Action News.

SPHA IN THE NEWS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Redevelopment of the former Edward White Hospital:

CLICK HERE to learn more about our redevelopment plan. >

 

About The St. Petersburg Housing Authority (SPHA):

An independent quasi-governmental entity and a political subdivision of the State of Florida, operating under Chapter 421 Florida Statutes, SPHA is the local administrative agency for housing assistance programs funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). SPHA offers a variety of programs and services that provide affordable rental housing to low-income families, seniors, veterans, and the disabled in the greater St. Petersburg region. For more information, visit www.stpeteha.org.